Located in the Hanover area of Brighton, this late Victorian property had few period
features surviving and suffered from poor light levels at ground floor. The brief
was to maximise the useable volume within the dwelling and rearrange the ground floor
to improve natural light and the relationship to the garden.

The rear garden was typical of houses in Hanover as it was not large and is a split
level arrangement with that of the ground floor. As the house is ‘tall and narrow’
the idea was to visually extend the ground floor kitchen and lounge area into the
garden, giving a feel of openness and light.

The existing access to the upper level of the garden was re-graded with full width
steps and decked terraced seating introduced. Full width sliding doors were fitted
between the kitchen and terraced area which could be retracted on warm days. The
garden was densely landscaped with evergreen plants to provide a year round visual
backdrop to the ground floor.

The new kitchen is painted a vibrant green reflecting the foliage in the garden as
light is filtered through them from above.

At first floor the existing bathroom layout was re-arranged to provide a larger bathroom
and ensuite to the adjacent master bedroom.

The fourth storey was converted into a usable room without needing a dormer which
the client felt would ruin the rear aspect of the property. The resulting room affords
views over Brighton and north to the South Downs